Every year, from November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against women, through December 10, Human Rights Day, human rights activists around the world participate in the 16 Days of Action To End Gender Violence campaign. This year there are numerous ways in which to get involved and learn more including:

Here in the U.S. nothing could be more urgent than the re-authorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) which is being held up by Senate Republicans. As the New York Times notes, their refusal to act is a horrifying message of hate and devaluing of life that needs to stop. And as UN Women Executive Director Michelle Bachelet notes, there is a need for government throughout the world to take stronger and urgent action to protect women and girls.

As I have said on this blog too many times before, violence against women and girls is a systemic, world-wide pandemic that destroys lives and exacts a terrible cost on our global well-being. The need to end this violence in all its heinous forms could not be more urgent and requires all of us to stand up and say, “No More!”